Claire's Highland Fling, 1st leg - Home to Balloch

Tuesday 20th May 2025

    We were itching to set off! It has felt a long time coming. The neighbours came out to see us off and wish us well on our trip. They are so excited for us 😁

Here's to Retirement!

    The journey to our first stop was uneventful, luckily.  It was 150 miles and we had a short stop en-route.  We are overnighting at The Swan Inn at Whiston with a meal at the pub.  Beautiful weather.  Fingers crossed for more of this where we're headed.   Large carpark so no trouble finding anywhere although we did arrive fairly early.  Food was OK.  Not sure I would stop there again; litter in the carpark and mediocre food and not much around to do - not even any walks (unless you started down a main road without any paths).  The dawn chorus was lovely though, and then the cockerel started!

Wednesday 21st

    We set off for our next overnight stopover - Tebay Services.  Mike came off the M6 after Preston and on to the A6 for a more interesting journey.  Some lovely villages.  We passed through a few that we had visited whilst on our barge trip last year on the Lancaster Canal.  One village had huge Easter Eggs mounted outside a few shops (like Christmas trees would be).  No idea why.  It did look rather sttange.  We saw a Lidl in Lancaster and thought we would go in but we couldn't find the car park! Despite going around it 3 times so in the end, we didn't bother.

    Tebay Services is lovely but the shop is very expensive.  We had a £3 voucher included in the overnight fee so I bought a pot of Wild Flower honey.  The stay was an experience but again, not one we would repeat necessarily as we could hear the M6 at night still.

Thursday 22nd

 ....... and over the border into Scotland!  Our first stop was at the Grey Mare's Tail waterfalls.  I took a wander partway up the mountain (hill) to get a closer look.  It was a very steep climb but I wouldn't say the falls were that impressive, probably due to the dry weather we have recently had.  

    Following that, we were lucky enough to be able to see an old work colleague of mine.  It was good to catch up and his wife made some excellent cookies ..... and I've got the recipe now!  Our stop for the night was at Roslin and was a lovely quiet site.  

Friday 23rd

   I went to visit Roslin Chapel (in the Da Vinci Code fiim) while Mike was packing up and was very surprised to see so many tourists.  Coach loads.  It spoiled the experience somewhat.  The chapel is beautiful with so many carved stone pillars, window frames and roof supports.  They were very impressive.  I was disappointed not to be able to take photos (especially as I forget things so quickly).  As a ‘pick-me-up’ Mike suggested that we go to see the Kelpies.  So pleased we did!  They are very impressive when up close to them.  I was moved to tears (silly really and not sure why).

Me getting up close and personal ;)

    From there, we crossed from East to West Scotland along the A811 and along the Stirling Straights.  From here, we recognised many places from when we lived up this way.  It was a good reminisce. Our home for the next few nights is Lomond Woods at Balloch.  A fully serviced site.  It is a large site and not one we would normally frequent but we wanted the services - and laundry.

Saturday 24th

    We took Daisy out to Dumbarton, Helensburgh and Garelochhead; Dumbarton for a part to repair a drawer that had collapsed due to some of the road conditions, Helensburgh for a look around as we used to live there and whilst walking around bumped into a work colleague from the Navy when we lived & worked there, 42 years ago!  We had lunch in a really small cafe, Craigard Tearooms, which was exceptional!              Then onto and through Garelochhead as we used to live there.  By the time we reached, there the rain was really coming down so couldn't really see much, including the beach at the head of the loch where I went wind surfing a long time ago.

Sunday 25th

    We took our bikes out along the bike trail and went to Dumbarton again for more parts for the drawer repair.  The bike trail was along the river all the way. 

    It was lovely!  So refreshing - until it rained that is - but it is what it is.  We had a rest and lunch at the Birch Cafe.  It was packed!  ...and on a bank holiday Sunday too!  Our ride back was rain all the way and cold wind.  We stopped at the shop in Balloch and bought a small bottle of whisky then had hot chocolate and a whiskey chaser when we got back.

Monday 26th

     Laundry & DIY day ... not a lot happened today but also chilled.  Horrible weather so best indoors.